When it comes to walks, the difference between the place where the First Born resides and my hometown is, to use a Malayalam word, ajagajantharam. I don’t know if there is an exact translation for the word. It sort of means ‘like the difference between a goat, aja and an elephant, gaja’. At least I think so. Methinks it probably rhymed too. Anyway, suffice to say it means the difference is too great.

On the other side of the globe the walks have been either in the park, with dogs playing catch with their humans in the grass as a background, or beside the creek watching the ducks and egrets swim. Another option was on well maintained pathways (trails) running parallel to the roads in which vehicles plied, vehicles mind you, that did not in anyway make you jump out of your skin by creeping up behind and abruptly sounding their horn.

Just the thing happened to me the other day over here in my home turf while I was on my way to get a haircut. The L&M had dropped me at the start of the lane. All I had to do was walk a couple of dozen feet down a slope of the narrow lane to the first gate of the building that housed the salon. I had scarcely taken two very careful steps down the poorly maintained road when all of a sound a horn blared right behind me making me jump. I was so unsettled that I almost lost my balance.

I turned around to see a middle-aged man at the wheel. He did not even bother to make eye contact but sat with his nose in the air, the aura of self importance so obvious. As far as he was concerned, when he drove, the road belonged to him and him alone, not old ladies on foot.

At this point, I cannot help but remember the considerate man who stopped his vehicle because he thought I was too distracted. I wasn’t though. I had been busy zipping up my jacket while still walking but was very much aware of the surroundings. I noticed he had stopped and turned to find out why. There was still a few more feet to go to reach the point where we would have crossed each other. He could easily have turned and driven into building much before I reached. But he waved me ahead and only when I had walked past did he go on his way. But then that hadn’t been India.

Getting back to my walks, here I walk around my apartment building and don’t have to be wary of speeding vehicles. After all it is not a thoroughfare, you think. Right? Partially true maybe. You see, I still have to be mindful of the few speedsters who come rushing out of their parking spots as if their tail is on fire. I kid you not. The other day I froze in my tracks, and it was only fifteen minutes past six in the morning, when a car came hurtling down jumping over the speed breakers.

There is something the Mallus shout out to those speeding on roads. Vayu gulika vangaan pokayano? (Are you off to buy pills for gas trouble?) I didn’t. But that’s what came to my mind.

Then there are some who think it is funny to come at you at great speed and stop abruptly. I am not joking at all. It happened to me. They then have the gall to grin in a cocky manner. Haha, I scared you! Gawd, the things people do to boost their frail male ego! Yes, this is definitely a male thing. But the speedsters come in all genders.

Thankfully though, these are but rare occurrences. On the whole I can walk peacefully most of the time. The few shocks I get are probably good for my soul. Not. Just kidding. 😉

Some photos to highlight the differences.

©️ Shail Mohan